Hurray! The Avenues for Hope Housing Challenge Campaign results have been tallied and Family Promise of North Idaho came in 2nd in the Northern Region and 8th overall with $8650 in donations. Thank you to everyone, who contributed, for making this campaign so successful. In addition to your contributions, we raised $7,700 in prizes including a $5,000 benefactor bonus which resulted from the generous $5,000 gift we received from Numerica Credit Union. We have been so blessed. Our total for this year's campaign is an incredible $16,363.

Source: CDAPRESS MY TURN, Dec 12

Wisconsin family finds help and hope at Family Promise of North Idaho. The family had run out of options in Wisconsin and headed west towards a new start in Spokane. Unfortunately, further set backs left them without options until they found open arms and hearts at FPNI. See the full story at CDAPRESS MY TURN.

Just in time for the holidays and in the spirit of giving, Numerica Credit Union CEO, Carla Altepeter drops by Family Promise of North Idaho with a shocking but welcome cash gift. The presentation was captured as part of Numerica's CEO ON THE ROAD series.

Source: CoeurdalenePostFalls.kxly.com
Submitted by Stevee Chapman
Tuesday, December 9th, 2014, 5:57pm

Family Promise resident, four-year-old Jacob Mogavero, had a revelation while experiencing the Journey to the North Pole Holiday Lake Cruise on Lake Coeur d'Alene. The experience occurred during a Monday night cruise with his family which had been arranged by FPNI.

Jacob, a huge fan of Santa, was having a great time on the cruise and anticipating a visit with Santa when the Grinch appeared and spoiled the mood. 

As a result of his reaction to the Grinch, he wrote a letter to Santa asking him to punish the Grinch. In his words, "he should beat up the Grinch". 

During the car ride home, Jacob reflected on his reaction to the Grinch and it spurred him to write a new letter. This time to the Grinch. The letter read:

“Dear Grinch,

I was mad at you for being naughty to Santa. Now I think you just need some love.

Your friend,

Jacob”

According to his mother, Jodi, this realization came to Jacob all on his own.

Read the original story and see Jacob's letter at CoeurdalenePostFalls.kxly.com.

The challenge starts December 10 and runs through December 31. Please help us help those we care for by making a donation of $25 or more today. Your gift will help us to qualify for additional cash prizes offered by the Avenues for Hope Housing Challenge Campaign. Thank you and God Bless.

Family Promise is one of many charities competing for a chance to collect a cash prize in the Charity Giveaway at the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort and Hotel on December 6th. 

Winners will be determined by the number of votes they receive between NOW and DECEMBER 3. A top prize of $2000* will go to the charity with the most votes.

Votes can be cast at the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort and Hotel Facebook page.

The Coeur d’Alene Casino will select 20 winners at their annual Winter Blessing Charity Giveaway on December 6th in Worley.

*The top prize is $2,000 with a total of $10,000 in cash and prizes awarded.

Toni & Guy and Texas Roadhouse are partnering with Family Promise of North Idaho to raise awareness for National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week. Your support of these sponsors will help Family Promise raise funds for our ongoing efforts to give hope and help to homeless families in our area.  

The FPNI Board of Trustees invites you to our 
6th Annual Ecumenical “Thanks” Service.

Take my hand, let’s do this work together. 
Families should not face these days alone. 
Take my hand, let’s do this work together.
Work ‘til every family finds a home.

From the song Home Again by Ken Medema

All participants in the Cardboard Box City event at Fernan Elementary on October 3 will need to pre-register. An Individual Registration Form is require for each person who participates. Registration can be completed online or by downloading and completing a paper form. Additionally, each group will be required to complete a Group* Registration form which can also be completed online or by paper form. Groups consist of minors (individuals under 18 years of age) accompanied by designated Parent(s) or Guardian(s).

In addition to helping us raise awareness about the challenges of homeless families, participants help Family Promise of North Idaho by collecting RENT in the form of pledges from friends, family and neighbors. Pledges raise funds to help keep our program running. Pledge forms are available in the list of resources below.

*Groups must comply with our Youth Guidelines which explain the boundaries and expectations of youth participation. 

Cardboard Box City is a public outreach event which also serves as one of our biggest fundraisers. Participants sleep in “homes” made from cardboard boxes to bring awareness to the plight of the homeless families to our community. Participants raise funds by gathering pledges for Family
Promise of North Idaho. The money raised is used to offset the operational costs of delivering services to homeless families.

You can also help by serving on the event committee which needs people to sign up for set-up, clean-up, getting things donated (snacks, soup, bread, breakfast items) entertainment, collecting cardboard boxes, advertising, poster making, sponsor getting, registration, security, and lots of other fun things. We also need youth groups and chaperones to participate! 

If you would like more information about this event or if you wish to volunteer to work on the committee, contact Ali at alison@globalmediagroup.us.